Here is a quick overview of our regular board meeting on October 12, 2026. Community members are always welcome to join!
| Public Comments and Communications |
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Public Comments
Multiple community members, including Nick Ridling (founder of Eastern Oregon Basketball Club), Kami Ridling, Shann West, Kena West, Koreana Faretta, and Jessica Markum, addressed the board again about equitable access to district gym facilities. Speakers asked the board to establish clear, written allocation guidelines for all youth sports organizations, and Mr. Ridling suggested forming a temporary committee to help develop them. The chair noted that complaints about specific employees must go through the superintendent’s office and shared that a formal, policy-based complaint on this topic is under district review.
[Click here to watch]
Student Board Representative Report
Representative Sarah “Serenity” McKenzie shared highlights from Hermiston High School, including the Possibility Festival on September 29 and 30, where Hermiston became the first high school to take part. She also covered homecoming week, FFA and club activities, and upcoming events such as the FFA Alumni and Supporters Dinner Auction on October 17 and performances of the fall play Charlotte’s Web starting on October 22. [Click here to watch]
OSEA Report
Melanie Henderson, OSEA President, thanked the district’s maintenance and custodial staff for their summer work and encouraged open communication on workplace concerns. She noted that the association returns to the bargaining table on October 27 and that members look forward to joining Treats on Main Street. [Click here to watch]
HAT Report
HAT’s president, Elena Andrade, thanked teachers and staff for hosting family nights at the elementary schools. She highlighted the third year of the high school education pathway’s reading-instruction training for aspiring teachers, and noted the October 9 state in-service day. [Click here to watch]
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| Board and Business Reports |
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Board Report
Board members expressed appreciation for the September board retreat and shared highlights from homecoming, the Possibilities Festival, and sporting events. One member also updated the board on the Hermiston Education Foundation, including its February Crab Feed and Auction, student scholarships, and upcoming school visits. [Click here to watch]
Financial Report
Katie Saul presented the district’s first report of the year, covering the month ending August. She noted lower-than-budgeted interest and fee revenue and a state school fund impact from the poverty-rate adjustment, and said the district will very likely use its budgeted $2.7 million reserve draw. Projected expenditure savings of about $1.1 million would put the ending fund balance near $9.5 million, or 10%, pending audit adjustments. She also shared that PERS rates are expected to rise about 4% next year. Board members discussed planning ahead for next year’s budget, including whether to convene the budget committee earlier.
[Click here to watch]
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Enrollment Report
Mr. Bacon reported current district enrollment of 5,012 students, with a decline that has been steady since 2019-20. He shared that 124 students transfer into the district, while 215 district residents attend other districts and 88 attend online charter programs, a difference of 303 that is consistent with the past two years. Board members discussed why families choose to transfer and the district’s limited ability to track those reasons. [Click here to watch]
Division 22 Standard Assurances
Mr. Bacon presented the 2025-26 Division 22 Standard Assurances, the state’s minimum requirements for operating a school district. He reported that the district was in compliance, that documentation will go to the state by November 15, and that the report will be posted on the district website by November 1. Board action was not required. [Click here to watch]
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